Crawford Jamieson | Gay Rights Debate | Oxford Union

Crawford Jamieson argues in proposition for gay parents to be given the right to raise children.

First year student Crawford Jamieson argues in proposition for gay couples to be able to raise children.
Filmed on Thursday 17th January

ABOUT CRAWFORD JAMIESON:
First year theology student.

ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY:
The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.

[EffindiK]

If a kid being raised by gay parents will be gay, what happen to me?I was raised by a heterosexual family, but i'm not even straight.

[awesomesauceplays]

This is just something that someone said to me.

"You believe in gay rights, you must be gay"
I say:
"I believe in animal rights, but you don't see me walking round like a fucking alpaca!"

[CalumRhysJones]

This is so strange to have such a progressive topic discussed in what looks like the 1800s.

[azkid]

Unbelievable that it takes a young man like this to teach these old farts the meaning of tolerance. I applaud you.

[bupababa]

Oxford and Cambridge have been always center of homosexual intellectuels. That is one of the well known tradition in there.

[Gorritz]

He's cute, and well spoken. I like him.

[je]

This is brilliant. I have never hoped more than ever that people like Crawford Jamieson and Benjamin Cohen will be the most prominent people of this generation.

[Lonelykeanefan]

I went to school with Crawford. Very proud to have found this today.

[DrDiamond]

That was really good! He is very well spoken and educated.

[liammmm]

The fact that there even has to be a debate on gay rights is so utterly shameful. We live in a world where some people don’t deserve the same rights as others, all because of love... awful

[theocean]

Smart, well-spoken, charismatic, and perfectly prepared! Wow. I don't have much respect for theology as a subject, but this theology student is brilliant.

[daenerystargaryen]

I remember the days when races weren’t allowed to marry other races. Christians were behind that discrimination problem too.

[EK-mxgx]

for those of you who are leaving homophobic comments here.. dont bring up `bible’ or ‘god’ as your anti gay excuse. I see no logical reason why being gay is unnatural thing or immoral thing whatsoever just by seeing you guys bringing up your own personal beliefs.

[HarrisonBowman]

Im the same as you, im bi who was raised by heterosexual parents, how can people not realise that we were just born this way? omg it pisses me off.

[andreadenton]

Great speech! From someone who was raised by a gay parent I totally agree. I was brought up in a very loving supportive family. And no, I'm not gay but would be proud to be!

[ashleyrose]

To the comment below mine: So "the anus was meant to be an exit only", just like people were "created in God's image" and "meant to live for God and God alone". We see how that turned out, right? People pick and choose what what want to believe in. They'll argue that according to God, that people of the same-sex is unnatural and a sin, yet those very people aren't exactly living like saints themselves. There's too much picking and choosing and hypocrisy regarding this issue and it's sick.

[JackJackKcajify]

A very weak argument. His responses regard the fact that these gay couples are merely taking the load of the negative artifacts of heterosexual relationships, such as unwanted childbirth. Its not acceptable. He doesnt provide anything useful or convincing. His adoption argument was the most flawed, and actually makes him look foolish. To sum up this mans arguement let me put it this way.

Gay parents are not harmful to their children because theyre children are "better" off than those children who are a part of dysfunctional heterosexual relationships.

His case regarding how heterosexual relationships have the same lack of psychological development for the child as gay relationships is equally as laughable. In no sense does a marriage have a lack of role model involvement. The fact is the child is aware of his father and his mother and their connection to each other.

I would expect a stronger argument. Fancy words dont get you anywhere. He needs a lesson on dialectics. 

[MrLuvLyrics]

Body parts have multiple uses. Have you ever used your tongue to lick an envelope? Have you ever used your fingers to type on a keyboard? Yes - did they evolve to do that? No. However you still do it. Your argument is invalid.

[ReemaSingh]

I absolutely love his debate. His accent just makes him seem more intelligent and it makes you want to side with him. I really like how he uses pathos when he mentions that every child should just be loved and taken care of when adopted. That really gets to you and grabs your attention. Thank you Crawford you helped me with my Gay Rights Debate for my Government class. :)

[jakaroo]

Considering his age, he spoke wonderfully. He'd make a great advocate.